April 5, 2013

Found on a Blog: The Love-charm of Bombs

I was smitten with ‘The Love-charm of Bombs’ from the very first time I read about it. The prospect of seeing London in the Second World War through the eyes of five remarkable writers – Elizabeth Bowen, Graham Greene, Rose Macaulay, Hilde Spiel and Henry Yorke (who wrote under the name Henry Green) – was simply irresistible.

For me, too, and even though this book won't be published here till this summer, I was able to put the British edition on reserve at the college library. It came in last week, and though I would normally have it till September, even as he was checking it out to me the library guy said that it was already recalled for another patron and I could only have it for 10 days. Did I still want it?

Did I? It's 465 pages long, and I didn't really think I would have enough time this week and next (busy at work), but I thought I'd bring it home anyway and see if it was as promising as it sounded. I've read about sixty pages in, and it definitely is. The book begins by describing a September night early in the Blitz, and setting what these figures -- who were all volunteering as air raid wardens, auxiliary fireman or ambulance drivers -- saw during their shifts against how they wrote about the war, then and later. Both the writing and the writers are compelling (and what a great title!), and it's nice to be able to recommend a book I haven't even read yet. :)

Even if I do have to wait a while before I can finish it. But then again I could wait a respectable, kindly, ladylike week or two and then recall it from the recaller. {Insert diabolical laughter.}

Thanks, Jane!

. . . . . .
. . . .

'Found on a blog'
is my new label for books that I discover by reading your wonderful blogs. I try
to
keep track, before I read them, but I thought I would also like to say
thanks this way.

2 comments:

Ooh, ooh...I have a preorder in for this one, Audrey, it couldn't be more up my alley! This book has me so excited I could...I could...well I could stand right up on my chair and shout loud enough for the neighbours to hear! Thank goodness for blogs and fleurfisher I say. And as for you with that diabolical laugh - you crack me up!

Glad you've enjoyed the book so far and spare a thought for poor me; I have to wait until JULY...hmmphhh.